There was a lot going on this week in Excelsior Springs! Between opening the ice cream store, launching the new DEP magazine, and the start of yard waste season, we could barely keep up! Here’s a run-down of some of the bigger things happening this week in the community.
Dari-B Opens for the Season
Dari-B opened on Saturday, March 1st and drew the normal crowd of eager ice cream eaters! Owner Jon Saura suggested trying their new flavor, Spumoni, a layered Italian dessert made with different flavors and colors, often including nuts and candied fruit. According to wikipedia, the name comes from the Italian word “spuma”, which means “foam”.
Public Works Road Closures and Updates
The Dryfork Greenway Project is starting. Beginning Monday, March 3rd thru Monday, June 2nd (weather permitting), Kennedy Ave from Caldwell St to N Salem Rd, and N Main St from Grand Ave to Salem Rd will be closed.
As an update, the closure on McCleary Rd is scheduled to be opened again on Monday, March 3rd. If concrete work has to be done, that may delay the opening. Watch the Excelsior Citizen group for announcements.
Clay County:
U.S. Highway 69 between Missouri Highway 92 and Vickie Dr.: flagging operation on Mon., March 3 and Tue., March 4, from approximately 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, for drainage work.
US-69 at various locations: intermittent lane closures from Mon., March 3 through Fri., March 7, from approximately 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, for pavement milling.
Missouri Highway 33 between NE 170th St. and NE 176th St.: flagging operation from Mon., March 3 until Wed., March 5, from approximately 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, for drainage work.
MO-33 between NE 170th St. and NE 176th St.: full closure on Thu., March 6 with the possibility of an additional closure on Fri., March 7, from approximately 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day, for drainage work.
Ray County:
Missouri Business Highway 10 between MO-13 and Missouri Highway 10 west.: full closure from Mon., March 3 until Fri., March 7, from approximately 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily, for brush cutting.
Citizen’s Academy Kicks Off
The fourth Thrive Excelsior Citizens Academy was kicked off on Monday, February 24th at the Excelsior Springs Community Center. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the program that they are undertaking, an opportunity to get an in-depth understanding of our communities ins and outs.
Citizens Academy Sponsors: Excelsior Citizen, ES SAFE, Councilman John McGovern, Family Wealthcare Center
DEP Launch Party
The Downtown Excelsior Partnership held a Launch Party for their newest Trip Planner, a high-quality magazine published for tourism. This magazine gives a pleasant viewing experience, with local people and businesses featured on every page. This provides an important economic tool when it comes to selling all that our community has to offer. Citizens can view the magazine for free online or pick up a copy at the Hall of Waters Visitor Center.
Chamber's Brew and View
The first Coffee Brew and View was held this week at the commercial office location in the Vintage where The Mug Coffeeshop used to be located (2300 Vintage Ct). This event is sponsored by the Excelsior Springs Chamber of Commerce and is meant to be a laid back networking event where local businesses and available commercial spaces take center stage, providing a way to discover new and unique spaces the community has to offer.
The next Brew & View will be March 26th from 7:00am-8:30am in the available property at 2400 Vintage Ct. (Behind Edwards Jones/Jeremy Stone) hosted by Beacon Realty!
Chamber Board Candidates Nominated (Chamber Members Only)
2025 Chamber Board Candidates were announced this week, with four nominations being presented for consideration of Chamber membership vote. These directors would take seats in April and serve a term of three years.
Nominations are still open for board candidates. If you would like to submit your name as a board candidate, you have until Friday, March 14, 2025 to contact the Chamber office. Candidates for the board must be in good standing with the Chamber and must have agreed to accept the responsibility of directorship.
To file for Board candidacy, submit your petition request along with supporting signatures of at least five (5) qualified and current members of the Chamber. Petitions must arrive at the Chamber office by 4 p.m. Friday, Mar. 14 to be considered.
For more details, please see Chamber President Brian Rice.
Yard Waste and Bulky Item Drop Off opens
This weekend the Yard Waste and Bulky Item Drop Off opened, providing citizens with an opportunity to haul their yard waste and drop off items on Saturdays in March (as long as it is not snowing!) from 9:00am-3:00pm at 1300 S Marietta St.
For all the details on this program, click here!
Update on the VFW
The VFW met this week at the Elks Lodge to discuss plans regarding the crash that happened into their building in the early hours of February 15. The crash left the building indefinitely closed until damages can be assessed for insurance. Law enforcement is always awaiting figures so that charges can be appropriately made. We will continue to keep the community informed as we have more information.
Christmas Committee Removes Tunnel from Lovers Lane
This weekend volunteers including Bartlett Homes, students from the Career Center, and Padgett Farms helped to remove the tunnel, which was the last display to come down. This allows for Lovers Lane to be open to traffic once again. The committee was delayed in removing the tunnel due to the harsh winter weather in January and February.
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
